At its meeting tonight, July 15, the Chelsea Planning Commission will hold a public hearing for a comprehensive plan amendment for the Federal Screw property at 500 S. Main St. and 425 Congdon St.
If approved, the change would read: “Redevelopment areas that are designated for mixed use should have a selection of uses that are appropriate for existing conditions of the site and that will be compatible with existing and future conditions in the surrounding area.”
The amendments would remove the residential component for this mixed-use plan and replace it with: “Federal Screw Works. The site should be redeveloped with mixed uses consisting of office and neighborhood commercial uses that will be compatible with maintaining the stability and integrity of the existing residential neighborhood. Commercial uses should be oriented toward the interior of the site and Main Street (M-52). Service operations, such as deliveries and trash pick-up should be conducted only from the interior of the site. The Congdon Street footage should be generally free of any indication of the presence of commercial uses. Buildings should be designed and the site should be landscaped to create an environment that will be visually and functionally consistent with the existing residential character of the existing neighborhood. The site should be designed and developed as one undivided parcel of land.”
If approved by the planners, the amendments would be sent to the Chelsea City Council for approval.
The planners are also expected to discuss Magellan Properties‘ rezoning request to change the zoning for the property from Industrial to Planned Unit Development. And, they are expected to discuss a list of potential permitted uses for the property.
Also on the agenda is a final site plan and special land use request for the proposed Speedway Gas Station and Convenience Store on the property currently occupied by the Rich Gas Station and the Wolverine Food and Spirits at 930 S. Main St. and 20460 Old US-12.
The planners are also expected to hold an election of officers at the meeting which takes place in the Council Chambers of the Chelsea Municipal Building beginning at 7 p.m.
Wait, what? The Wolverine is coming down? Now that is a long time Chelsea landmark as significant as the Clocktower or Jiffy silos. This news makes this Chelsea native and former resident shed a few tears. As if another convenience store is needed.
Crying into my beer,
Rob Burg
Frederic, Michigan